JimW337

Now that the old trans is out of the car, it's time to start the search for a "good" used trans. By good I mean one that will be guaranteed to work OK. I've done some looking on eBay and looked on-line at the "junk yards"

What experience does anyone else have for finding a good used trans? I'm in NC and willing to do a road trip (within reasonable miles) to save on shipping. I guess I will start my search by calling the local trans shops (Greensboro/Triad) and see if they have any local sources.

Also, our HHR is a 2011 with a 2.2 motor, any differences in 4T45E trans? Or any trans will work, no matter what GM vehicle.

Just curious, what experiences everyone else has had when looking for a trans.

Thanks for the help,
Jim|W

donbrew

Most local junkyard warrant transmissions plus they can tell you the mileage that was on the car they are removed from. They can also tell you what will fit & work.

Not many shops actually rebuild a trans, they might install a new valve body with valves and call it rebuilt; you can easily do that yourself on the floor. Probably smart to replace valves and seals anyway.

Could try GoOgle/ebay etc, lots of places claim to rebuild and ship. N.C. is probably filthy with rebuild shops and junkyards. I would ask them what they mean by rebuilt/refurbished etc.

Finding a failed 4T45E is like finding hen's teeth. If yours failed it is 1 in thousands.

califphil

I would call a few local tranny shops and see what the charge is for them to bench overhaul it for you. You might be surprised that it's not that expensive and then you would have a fresh trans and not an unknown used one.
If your old one suffered catastrophic failure then a trans cooler flush at minimum or possible a new radiator would be wise.

JimW337

Local tranny shops want $1,600 to do a bench rebuild. Better luck with some local salvage yards, Depending on the mileage the cost can be anywhere from $150 to $500.

Does it matter if the trans comes out of a Cobalt? Seems there are more of those in the salvage yards.

JimW

Oldblue

Any Delta platform, same year should be good to go. Many different model years will fit and work just fine.

RJ_RS_SS_350

Aren't there gearing differences?

Oldblue

Somewhat, but they will work. There are final drive ratios different from our HHRs , best to match them up, but a 2011 transmission will have all the updates as opposed to a 2007.

fastsuv

When I needed a transmission, I used www.car-part.com.

This a nationwide network of junkyards (like the rock auto of used parts).

Just enter the year, make and model. Then pick what part of the country you want to search and what part.

You can search by distance from you or price.


I forgot to mention, when I bought a 4T45E transmission for my HHR about a year ago I paid $250 at a junkyard.

Steve

JimW337

Thanks for the link, great resource!

JimW

Oldblue

That transmission was a good replacement into Oldblue, it was clean and just about ready to bolt in.